On February 6, 2017, Sodick injection molding machines from Plustech Inc., Schaumburg, Ill., a leading supplier of precision injection molding machinery, will showcase the unique capabilities of its equipment by injection molding microfluidic chips made of TOPAS (R) cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) from TOPAS Advanced Polymers, Florence, Ky., (Booth 662) at the MD&M West 2017 show Feb. 7-9 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. At booth 4071, Sodick will feature the Sodick GL30 micro-injection molding machine producing a microfluidic part incorporating micro details.
   The live molding demonstration includes a mold supplied by Plas-Tech Engineering Inc., Geneva, Wis. (Booth 541), a leading custom molder of medical devices and diagnostic components. Automation will be provided by Star Automation with a side-entry robot that will remove the part from the mold.
   The prototype application demonstrates the growing use of COC in diagnostic products such as microfluidics and microplates. TOPAS COC delivers superior purity, chemical resistance and UV transparency compared to competitive thermoplastics like polystyrene (PS), PMMA (acrylic), and polypropylene (PP), while being much easier to manufacture in volume via simple injection molding compared to alternatives like glass and silicones. With the exceptional (92%) clarity and mold detail of TOPAS COC, well counts are maximized, flow channels can be incorporated, and analyses are optimized.
   Due to its ultra-high purity, TOPAS COC has lower leachables and extractables than competing materials, resulting in the most reliable and repeatable results. The inert nature of the material prevents interference with reactions and analyses. Other important features include the best available UV transparency of any plastic, heat resistance suitable for PCR or sterilization, and low autofluorescence.
   TOPAS COC is making strong inroads in these microfluidic applications including a unique crystallization microplate from MiTeGen LLC, Ithaca, N.Y., a provider of innovative consumables for X-ray diffraction, crystallography, and protein crystallization for academic, pharmaceutical, industrial, and government research. MiTeGen’s new In-Situ-1 (TM) crystallization plate uses TOPAS (R) COC for its superior moisture vapor resistance and x-ray transparency compared to competitive thermoplastics.
   The strong capability of TOPAS COC for fine detail is a key benefit for advanced microfluidic designs. One customer has used TOPAS 5013S-04 to create a line of products featuring thousands of highly consistent 3-micron diameter wells. Others have developed microfluidic discs for medical analyses, modular kits for microfluidic device development, and a 3D printer that utilizes TOPAS 8007S-04 for prototyping of microfluidic designs. Some customers have taken advantage of the strong dimensional stability and low shrinkage of TOPAS COC grades. In one example, a customer has created cylinders with a zero draft angle.
   The Sodick GL30 is a high-performance model that offers excellent repeatability and accurate plasticization. The machine provides advanced injection for micro features with extremely tight tolerances. It includes Sodick’s V-Line two-stage plunger system, which separates the plasticization and injection processes for consistent measurement and injection of the melt stream. The 30-ton machine incorporates a true hybrid clamping mechanism utilizing an upgraded servo motor-controlled hydraulic pumping system.